Gatis Eglītis Participates in EU Online Conference on Gender Equality
Published: 03.03.2022
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On Monday, 31 January, Minister of Welfare Gatis Eglītis participated in the online conference of ministers from European Union (EU) Member States responsible for gender equality issues, “Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment: A Prerequisite for Ensuring Gender Equality”. The conference was organised by France, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU.
The conference focused primarily on implementing the priorities set out in the EU Gender Equality Strategy, particularly issues such as reducing stereotypes about the roles of women and men in society and the family, ensuring equal opportunities and rights in the labour market throughout life, and promoting women’s entrepreneurship.
In the discussion on equality between women and men in the professional sphere, the Minister of Welfare particularly emphasised the importance of equal pay for men and women. Special attention should be paid to eliminating gender stereotypes in education and the labour market, while improving support for work–life balance.
“The equal sharing by both parents of responsibility and care for children and other family members enables women to return to the labour market sooner and retain their professional skills. The planned changes to the use of parental leave, as well as the extension of paternity leave and more flexible working-time arrangements, will enable fathers to exercise their right to care for their children much more actively,” the Minister of Welfare stressed during the discussion.
The Minister of Welfare also shared positive experience and successful cooperation with the non-governmental and private sectors aimed at strengthening the skills and knowledge of women and girls in information technology, as well as encouraging girls to choose information technology and natural sciences in their education and professional careers.
With a view to long-term measures to be proposed and addressed in next year’s state budget, the Minister of Welfare also plans to advance other initiatives that promote work–life balance. For example, options are being considered for submitting a proposal to increase the parental benefit to at least 50%, instead of the current 30%, for a parent who wishes to return to work earlier from parental leave. It is also necessary to consider the availability of state-funded childcare services in municipalities, including for very young children from just a few months of age.
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